Akoitai laid to rest, children told to carry on legacy

National
Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama (right) presenting the Bougainville and PNG flags to Nathan, the son of the late Sam Akoitai, Member for Central Bougainville.

THE children of late Central Bougainville MP Sam Akoitai have been told to carry on his legacy as he was laid to rest at Togarau village, Wakunai, yesterday.
Autonomous Bougainville Government president Ishmael Toroama addressed the Akoitai children during the burial.
Prime Minister James Marape relayed the same message, telling the children to continue their father’s legacy as a peace-maker, a leader and a man of the people.
He said Akoitai was one who advocated for peace during the decade-long Bougainville conflict.
“The Hon Sam Akoitai looked ahead of that time, saying what was needed was not fighting by guns but through peace,” he said.
Marape described Akoitai as a principled man committed to developing Bougainville and Papua New Guinea.
Members of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Government also attended the burial. Both leaders also expressed their gratitude to the family and people of Central Bougainville for allowing Akoitai to serve Bougainville and PNG.
Toroama handed over the flags of PNG and Bougainville to Akoitai’s son Nathan.
Nathan thanked both leaders for the words of encouragement to his siblings and family.